Recycling Centers - Where to Recycle

Database of Recycling Drop of Locations and Centers

By Maryruth Belsey Priebe

General recycling centers and recources

The following are several organizations that accept all manner of functional, clean, secondhand products - from furniture to electronics to clothing to home building supplies:

When you can’t give away your recyclables, finding someone else to make use of them is always referable to recycling (reuse comes before recycle, after all). These resources will help you sell your functional recyclables:

And in the end, when you can’t donate or sell your used items, finding a good recycler is paramount. These are some of the most comprehensive recycling resources online, addressing every imaginable recycling challenge:

 

Electronics recycling and take-back programs

There are several comprehensive sites that list recycling programs for e-waste across the spectrum, including computers, laptops, mobile phones, PDAs, video games and consoles, cameras, chargers, and more. Start with the Basal Action Network (BAN) e-Stewards listings as you can be sure these organizations practice eco-friendly and ethical recycling practices. Then look into the following:

 

Donating and recycling cell phones

Your cell phone, if it still works, doesn’t have to go to mobile heaven just yet! By donating it to a charity, you’ll extend its life and feel happy about it in the meantime. These are the organizations through which you may be able to donate your old mobile phone:

Wondering what’s it in for you? If the good feelings of giving away your phone aren’t enough, then find ways to recycle your mobile phone for cash! There are now numerous programs that allow you to sell your old cell phones for money, including the following:

And when all else fails, be sure to use a recycling program to properly dispose of spent mobile phones. Here are some sites you can use to find reputable cell phone recycling programs:

 

Computers and laptops

The computer recycling programs available worldwide are becoming more plentiful all of the time. This first list is for those organizations that will take your e-waste donations so that recycling computers, monitors, and so on will benefit society.

You may also find that there are some organizations that will give you money for sending in your used electronics, including computers, monitors, peripherals, and more. Here are a few:

 

Printers and printer cartridges

Computer printers (including all-in-one multifunctional units) are generally recyclable with all other regular electronic waste, so check out our resources for computer recycling, etc. Printer cartridges, on the other hand, are generally handled by specialists. There are many nonprofit organizations that will take your spent cartridges and sell them to fund their operations:

Otherwise, check out these for-profit printer cartridge recycling companies:

 

Televisions

Whether you need a way to recycle your old television after the analog switch or want to find out how to recycle broken TVs, these resources will put you on the right path:

You’ll also find numerous electronics recycling resources above in our list of general e-waste recyclers.

 

iPods and MP3 players

Many of the same cash-based recyclers you use for mobile phones work for iPods as well, but here are some Apple iPod specific recyclers:

 

Video games and consoles

In addition to the general recycling resources you’ll find above, here are several video game specific recycling agencies that you may find useful:

The following companies will either buy your used video games and consoles from you, or offer you a credit toward purchasing other items from their store:

 

DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, and floppy disks

Though finding recyclers for your used DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, and floppy disks can be a bit trickier than locating recyclers for used computers and televisions, it’s not impossible! Not only will the following companies be able to help you, you may also find that regular e-waste recyclers will take your used storage devices if you also recycle something like a laptop or monitor. Just ask!

 

Stereo equipment

Recycling your old equipment might seem like a challenge, but many collection sites for electronic waste will accept speakers and stereos along with computers and other e-waste. However, here are some recyclers that specialize in stereo equipment:

 

Batteries - rechargeable and alkaline

Batteries of all shapes and sizes are now recyclable through a variety of different companies. By recovering the materials in these batteries - including toxic heavy metals - you’ll be protecting natural habits, groundwater, and your health (in the long run):

 

Leftover paint

Whether you’ve got a little latex paint or need to recycle several buckets of oil-based paint, here are some resources that should put you on the eco-friendly path:

 

Mercury-containing light bulbs

Mercury is a heavy metal that is toxic to human and environmental health, and so light bulbs containing this chemical should be handled with care. Here are some recyclers that will help you properly dispose of mercury-containing light bulbs:

 

Photographers and photo paper

Conventional photo papers contain heavy metals and plastic resins, but eco-friendly photographers will use greener photo paper and practice responsible recycling of photographic supplies. Find them here:

 

Glass recycling

In many cases, recycling glass is as easy as putting it in your curbside recycling bin. But if you lack a curbside program or are having a hard time recycling other types of glass, here are some resources to help you out:

 

Plastic recycling

The myriad of plastic products can make recycling them difficult. Many of the broad recycling resources listed above will give you lots of locations for recycling your plastics, but here are some for the more difficult plastic products:

 

Selling books, magazines, and other paper goods

If you’re looking for a way to get a little cash for your book or magazine collection, check out these online selling sites for ideas on how to sell your stuff:

 

Swapping and trading books and magazines

Get into the book swapping groove with these online resources. Many of these sites also allow you to swap and trade movies, music, and other entertainment media.

 

Donating used books and magazines to charities

Many charities will take your books and either use them to further their work, or sell them to support their budget. It’s a great way to ensure that your books and magazines stay in use.

When all else fails, find a way to recycle your used books using one of these book recycler services:

Recycle Books

 

Milk cartons and jugs

We all drink beverages in cartons - whether it’s milk, juice, soy milk, or otherwise. Here are some resources to make recycling milk cartons and jugs a little easier:

 

Tetra Pak recycling

Tetra Paks are tricky things to recycle given their composite nature, but these resources will give you ideas on where and how to recycle them.

 

Confidential paper shredding and recycling

Recycling your confidential papers is important to maintain your privacy and security, and you can do it safely with these companies:

 

Opt out of phone book delivery

Stop the waste that comes with printed phone books by putting yourself on an opt-out list for these services using one of these contacts or organizations:

 

Steel recycling

There are many types of steel you could be recycling, so look through these resources to find an organization willing to recycle your steel:

 

Clothing swaps and trades

Swapping your clothing (sometimes for free!) can be a whole lot of fun, and is a great way to recycle used apparel. Check out these options for clothing recycling to get your swap on:

 

Donating and recycling clothing and other textiles

When swapping and selling aren’t an option for your old clothing, donate them to a great charitable organization specializing in clothing redistribution, like one of these:

 

Donate and recycle bicycles

You’d think recycling bikes would be hard, but with all of the bicycle donation and recycling services around, it turns out it’s not that hard at all!

 

Recycling cooking oil

Put your used cooking oil to good use by giving it to an organization that can turn it into fuel to use in vehicles and other fuel-powered mechanisms.

 

Donating used eyeglasses

Don’t let your glasses go to waste! Recycle them by donating them to a great organization that will redistribute your eyeglasses to people in under-served countries.

 

Mattress recycling

One of the hardest things to recycle, mattresses are a real waste of resources when not disposed of properly. Here are some resources you can use to recycle your used mattress:

 

Toy donations and recycling

Let your toys give joy to other children by either donating them or recycling them so that they can be made into new products These organizations are a great place to start:

 

Disposing of pharmaceuticals

Keep dangerous chemicals out of our water supplies and environment by properly disposing of your pharmaceuticals using one of these organizations:

 

Recycling cosmetics and makeup products and containers

When your makeup is no longer to your liking, use one of these makeup recycling and redistribution organizations to put it to good use in someone else’s hands:

 

Resources for disposing of misc household hazardous waste

There are some household hazardous waste items, like car batteries, motor oil, and pesticides, that are a little challenging to recycle, but these resources will put you on the right course:

 

Feminine hygiene, incontinence products, and diaper recycling

Yup! You may be able to recycle your used diapers, feminine hygiene, and incontinence products! Here’s how:





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